News Releases from Region 5

EPA Seeks Public Comment on Allegan County Smog

CHICAGO (July 20, 2010) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has proposed approval of a request from the state of Michigan to redesignate Allegan County as an attainment area for the national health-based eight-hour outdoor standard for ozone. Ground-level ozone is commonly referred to as smog.

EPA reviewed three years of complete, quality-assured, outdoor air monitoring data for 2007, 2008 and 2009 as part of the analysis to determine the area meets the standard.

EPA also proposed approval of Michigan’s plans to continue to meet the eight-hour health-based ozone standard in the area through 2021 and the motor vehicle emission budgets for Allegan County.

The proposed action was published on Tuesday, July 20, in the Federal Register. The public has 30 days to comment. Comments may be entered at www.regulations.gov. Refer to docket ID No. EPA-R05-OAR-2010-0477 and follow online instructions for submitting comments. Comments may also be emailed to bortzer.jay@epa.gov or faxed to 312-692-2054. A copy of the rule can be found at http://www.edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-16706.pdf.

Smog is formed when a mixture of pollutants react on warm, sunny days. The pollutants are released from cars, factories and a wide variety of other sources. Smog can cause respiratory problems, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest pain.